Vaccine fatigue and influenza vaccination trends across Pre-, Peri-, and Post-COVID-19 periods in the United States using epic’s cosmos database

PMCID: PMC12173228

PMID: 40526617

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0326098

Journal: PloS one

Publication Date: 2025-6-17

Authors: Nofzinger TB, Huang TT, Lingat CE, Amonkar GM, Edwards EE, et al.

Key Points

• Overall influenza vaccination rates decreased by 6.41 percentage points post-COVID-19
• Youngest age groups (5-18 and 19-26 years) experienced the most significant vaccination rate drops
• Healthcare providers should focus on targeted interventions to restore vaccination compliance, especially among younger populations and vulnerable demographic groups

Summary

This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed influenza vaccination trends across the United States using Epic's Cosmos database, examining vaccination rates before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The research tracked vaccination compliance across diverse demographic groups, revealing a significant decline in influenza vaccination rates post-pandemic, particularly among younger populations and specific racial groups.

The study found a notable decrease in overall influenza vaccination rates from 32.22% pre-pandemic to 25.81% post-pandemic, with the most dramatic reductions observed in children and young adults. The most substantial declines were seen in 5-18 year olds (−13.92 percentage points) and 19-26 year olds (−9.91 percentage points), suggesting a potential long-term impact of pandemic-related disruptions on routine immunization practices.